The treaty, which evolved from extensive analysis of evidence and a series of negotiations involving more than 140 countries, establishes numerous protective measures, including controls on mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants and the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The treaty also includes an article dedicated to health. For more information, click here.
A Blog From the American Society of Safety Engineers
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
International Treaty on Mercury
The World Health Organization has approved a new
international convention that will reduce the harmful health effects of
mercury, a chemical known to travel long distances in the
atmosphere and accumulate in fish ecosystems. Mercury is significantly detrimental to
human health and may cause permanent damage
to the nervous system, particularly the developing nervous system. Infants, children and women of child-bearing age must be extra cautious because the chemical can
be passed from a mother to her unborn child.
The treaty, which evolved from extensive analysis of evidence and a series of negotiations involving more than 140 countries, establishes numerous protective measures, including controls on mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants and the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The treaty also includes an article dedicated to health. For more information, click here.
The treaty, which evolved from extensive analysis of evidence and a series of negotiations involving more than 140 countries, establishes numerous protective measures, including controls on mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants and the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The treaty also includes an article dedicated to health. For more information, click here.
